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blewballoon 's review for:

The Wishing Game by Meg Shaffer
3.0
emotional reflective sad medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

If you love the idea of a story where the kids who toured Willy Wonka's factory as kids get to return as adults, then this might be for you. Replace Willy Wonka's chocolate factory with a private island owned by a famous children's book author. Replace the character flaws and fantasy punishments with real, hopeful children who are seeking love and support in the face of genuine human struggles. Replace the physics defying candy factory locations with riddles, logic games, and self growth. If you're still on board for a story that is overtly about confronting trauma and learning to move forward through your fears, then I think you'll really like this.
I will admit that I did find some of the trauma aspects  to be hammered a little too hard, and the resolutions to be a little too quick and easy.

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